The physiological significance of ketone body production

Ketone bodies play a very important role in our human body and almost occupy an important part of our entire body. However, ketone bodies also have their own fatal harm. Sometimes, if we do not handle them properly, ketone bodies may rupture and cause other diseases. So today I will give you a brief introduction to the physiological significance of ketone body production.

Energy source for the brain when it is lacking sugar or hungry

When blood sugar levels drop, the brain uses ketone bodies to save glucose. When muscles move, glycogen is consumed, fatty acids are broken down, and ketone bodies are produced for use. When animals are fasting, lacking sugar, or when aerobic oxidation of sugar is blocked, due to the massive mobilization of fat, fatty acid oxidation is intensified, and ketone body production also increases significantly. Easy to use (small molecules, easy to transport).

1. Physiological significance of ketone body production

① The liver exports ketone bodies to provide energy for extrahepatic tissues.

②The output of ketone bodies by the liver plays an important role in ensuring energy supply to the brain during hypoglycemia and maintaining its normal physiological functions.

The physiological significance of ketone body production: (1) Ketone bodies are a special transport form of FFA. (2) Participates in the energy metabolism of the brain and muscles. (3)

Involved in the regulation of fat mobilization. (4) Blood and urine.

Ketone bodies are the general term for acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone. Synthetic raw materials: acetyl CoA Synthetic site: hepatocyte mitochondria Rate-limiting enzyme: hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA synthase (HMG-CoA synthase)

Physiological significance: ① Under normal circumstances, ketone bodies are a form of energy output by the liver

② Provide necessary energy for important organs such as the heart and brain in the case of hunger or insufficient sugar supply

③The increase in ketone body utilization can reduce sugar utilization, which is beneficial to maintaining constant blood sugar levels and saving protein consumption.

Ketone bodies: In the liver, the intermediate products of fatty acid oxidation and decomposition are acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate and acetone, which are collectively called ketone bodies. The liver has a strong enzyme system for synthesizing ketone bodies, but lacks an enzyme system for utilizing ketone bodies. Ketone bodies are a product of fat breakdown, not high blood sugar. Eating sugars will not lead to an increase in ketone bodies.

2. Conditions for the production of ketone bodies

Ketone bodies are important physiologically as they are used as fuel for many tissues, including the brain, during starvation.

The importance of ketone bodies lies in the fact that due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier, substances other than glucose and ketone bodies cannot enter the brain to provide energy for brain tissue. During starvation, ketone bodies can account for 25%-75% of the brain's energy source.